Fresno State vs Kansas Prediction & Preview - 8/23/25
Last updated August 20, 2025
The Kansas Jayhawks will host the Fresno State Bulldogs in Week 0 of the college football season on Saturday. Kansas returns to its newly refurbished home stadium as a double-digit favorite in this game. Fresno State enters the season under a new head coach who is seeking to prove himself against Big 12 competition. Before kickoff from Kansas, continue reading to get my Fresno State vs Kansas prediction.
Our Fresno State vs Kansas Prediction
- Pick: Fresno State +12.5
- Bonus Bets: Hit the button on this page to claim our DraftKings Sportsbook bonus. You can bet $5 on this game and get $200 in bonus bets INSTANTLY along with over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
- One of the Largest Gambling Sites in the US
- Offers Casino, Sportsbook & DFS
- Great Promotions
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Matchup Details
- Matchup: Fresno State vs Kansas
- Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
- Broadcast: FOX
- Point Spread: Kansas -12.5
- Total: 50.5
Key Storylines
Kansas returns home for the first time in nearly two seasons after making upgrades to its home stadium. They will look to defeat a Fresno State team whose new head coach has won FCS titles at North Dakota State. Week 0 is notoriously unpredictable but Kansas' roster continuity and their upgraded home-field advantage have made them a heavy favorite.
Offensive Outlook
Fresno State’s offense will be led by transfer quarterback E.J. Warner. He threw for over 2,700 yards and 17 touchdowns last fall at Rice. But the Bulldogs will need to overcome a physical disadvantage against a power conference opponent here.
Kansas boasts continuity on offense with Jalon Daniels back at quarterback. Daniels threw for over 2,400 yards last season and will look to take advantage of the new weapons that head coach Lance Leipold brought in to help him.
Betting Trends & H2H
Fresno State is 6–3 ATS in its last nine August games. Kansas went 5–1 ATS in its last six games last season but has struggled ATS in August. Kansas is 0-6 ATS in its last six August games and they will look to put a stop to that concerning trend here.
Fresno State vs Kansas Score Projection
- Score Projection: Fresno State 24 – Kansas 34
- Win Probability: Fresno State 45%, Kansas 55%
Final Thoughts
Kansas is clearly the stronger team on paper and will likely dictate the game's tempo. That said, the 12.5-point number feels inflated to me given Warner’s steady quarterback play. I think the Bulldogs have what it takes to cover the number here. The Bulldogs may not win outright, but they have the tools to keep the game within two touchdowns as Kansas has bigger and better games to focus on in the near future.
